Wire bending tool

ABSTRACT

A hand tool is adapted for bending wire manually and includes an elongate bar having a wire engaging head secured thereto at one end and another, similar, wire engaging head disposed intermediate the ends of the bar. Two such identical tools are employed to effect the desired bend in the wire. Each head on each tool projects transversely from the bar and has a T-shaped channel which extends parallel to the axis of the bar. In use the tools are placed, head end to head end, parallel to the wire, with the wire received in the T-shaped slots. With the adjacent head ends of the tools in abutment, the distal ends of the tools then are pivoted transversely toward each other to effect the desired bend in the wire at a location between the proximate ends of the tools. During bending, the proximate ends of the tools bear against each other to provide leverage.

United States Patent [191 Iascone 1 Mar. 27, 1973 WIRE BENDING TOOL [76] Inventor: Michael Iascone, 79 Third St., Medford, Mass. 02155 [22] Filed: Apr. 1, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 130,114

[52] U.S. Cl. 7 ..72/470, 140/123, 72/479 [51] Int. Cl. ..B21d 37/14 [58] Field of Search ..72/458, 459, 460, 479, 305,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,237,441 8/1917 Ackerson ..140/l17 2,147,042 2/1939 Johnson 3,188,894 6/1965 Matsuoka..... 1,844,253 2/1932 Johnson ..72/459 Primary Examiner-Charles W. Lanharn Assistant Examiner-R. M, Rogers ABSTRACT A hand tool is adapted for bending wire manually and includes an elongate bar having a wire engaging head secured thereto at one end and another, similar, wire engaging head disposed intermediate'the ends of the bar. Two such identical tools are employed to effect the desired bend in the wire. Each head on each tool projects transversely from the bar and has a T-shaped channel which extends parallel to the axis of the bar. In use the tools are placed, head end to head end,

parallel to the wire, with the wire received in the T;

shaped slots. With the adjacent head ends of the tools in abutment, the distal ends of the tools then are pivoted transversely toward each other to effect the desired bend in the wire at a location between the proximate ends of the tools. During bending, the proximate ends of the tools bear against each other to provide leverage.

10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures AttorneyWolf, Greenfield, Hikeen & Sacks 1 /0 Z 7 /I f4 ,1;

. j T :j lty z I; v 26- Z5 PATENTEDHARZYIQB INVENTOR FIG. I L25 FIG. 4

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BY 1/ ar M #w 0% ATTORNEYS WIRE BENDING TOOL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION rinch diameter and is somewhat difficult to bend I manually to the proper configuration. Characteristically, such bends have been done with conventional tools such as pliers. This is particularly difficult when the required bend is sharp or of short radius. It is among the primary object of the invention to provide an improved hand tool for making such wire bends with case.

' channel 16 formed therein of generally T-shaped cross SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The hand tool of the invention comprises an elongate bar or lever having a wire-engaging head at one end. The head includes a portion which projects transversely from the bar and a T-shaped channel is formed in the projection in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bar. The channel receives the wire in parallel relation to the elongate bar. Another similar bar also is engaged with.

the wire with its wire engaging head disposed in proximity and abutting the head end of the first placed tool. With the proximate ends of the tools urged against each other, the distal ends are forcibly pivoted toward each other in a transverse direction to effect the desired bend in the wire between the proximate ends of the tools. During the bending process, the proximate ends of the tools bear against each other to provide leverage and facilitate the bending. The T-shaped channels insure retention of the wire in the tool during the bending process. The side edges of the head end of each tool are tapered to enable short radius turns to be made with ease. Each tool preferable also includes an intermediate head having a similarly constructed T-shaped channel, with the intermediate head being disposed between the ends of the bar and adapted to engage a portion of the wire distal from that portion being bent. The intermediate heads may be formed integrally with their respective bars or, alternatively, may be movable to selected fixed positions along the bar to vary the longitudinal location of the intermediate head.

It is among the primary objects to provide an improved hand tool for facilitating wire bending. I

Another object of the invention is to provide a hand tool which is adapted for use in the upholstery art and which may be employed to effect short radius bends with relative ease.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 3 is an end view of the tool shown in FIG. 1 as seen from the left of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a pair of tools illustrating the manner in which they are used to effect a short radius bend in a wire;

FIG. 5 is an elevation of another embodiment of the invention having a slidable intermediate wire engaging head;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken through the slidable head of FIG. 5 as seen along the lines 6-6; and

FIG. 7 is a somewhat diagrammatic illustration of the manner in which the hand tools may be employed in the upholstery of a chair cushion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIGS. 1 to 3 show one embodiment of the invention,

which includes an elongate bar or lever 10. In this embodiment, the bar 10 has an integrally formed head 12 at one end thereof, the head 12 having a portion 14 projecting transversely of the longitudinal axis of the bar 10. The projecting portion 14 of the head 12 has a section. The channels 16 extends generally parallel to and longitudinal of the bar 10. The entrance 18 to the channel 16 is defined by a pair of inwardly extending lugs 20 formed integrally with the head 12. Thehead also includes sidewalls or side surfaces 22 which, as shown in FIG. 2, are tapered toward the end of the bar as shown and for a purpose described herein. In the preferred embodiment, an additional intermediate head 24 may be formed integrally with the barv 10 intermediate its ends. The intermediate head 24 has 'an identical T-shaped channel 16' formed therein in alignment with the channel 16 formed in the end head 12.

When employing the invention to effect a desired bend in the wire, two such hand tools are provided as suggested in FIG. 4. Each of the hand tools is placed, parallel to the wire 25, with the T-shaped channels of the head or heads slipped over the wire so that the wire is disposed parallel to and just beneath the bar 10. The hand tools are disposed in head-to-head relation with the head ends 27 in abutment with each other. The tools are positioned along the wire so that the region in which their heads abut is where the wire is intended to be bent. With the tools in this position, the distal ends of one or both of the tools are pivoted transversely as suggested by the arrow 26 in FIG. 4. During this bending motion, the hand tools are urged together so that their proximate head ends bear against each other and serve as a fulcrum. During the bending process, one of the inner surfaces 28 of the head portion 14 which defines a portion of the channel 16 bears against the wire. The wire is precluded from inadvertently slipping out of the channel by the lug 20 which extends inwardly from the inner surface 28 against which the wire bears. Additionally, the channels, 16, 16 are spaced from the bar so that the wire is disposed slightly below the bar as suggested in phantom in FIG. 1 thus enabling the user to grip both the bar and the wire simultaneously. This insures further that the wire will not slip inadvertently from within its channel.

As described above, the sidewalls 22 of the end heads 12 are tapered toward the end of the bar 10. This enables the fulcrum point 31, where the ends of the bars bear against each other, to be disposed closely to the wire in the region where it is to be bent, thus permitting the relatively sharp, short radius bend to be effected.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a modified embodiment of the invention in which the bar 10 may comprise a length of rigid pipe 30 having a head 32 secured permanently thereto at one end. The intermediate head 34 in the selected position, and a set screw arrangement 36 is shown as suggestive thereof. The set screw 36 may be provided with a pin 37 at its lower end which is adapted to engage one of a number of notches 39 formed in the pipe 30 along its length to locate the intermediate head 34 in a number of various positions along the pipe 30. In order to preclude rotation of the intermediate head about the pipe, a slot 41 is formed along the underside of the pipe 30 and along its length. The slot 41 receives a pin 43 secured to the intermediate head and which extends radially inwardly from the head into engagement with the slot 41. Both heads in this embodiment include the T-shaped channels 38, 38' of the same configuration as that described in the previous embodiment. In both embodiments of the invention, it is preferred to employ both heads on each hand tool when the length of wire extending in opposite directions from the point in which the bend is to be made is sufficiently straight to be received within the intermediate head. Engaging the wire with both heads is preferred that it provides for a more firm grip on either side of the bending point of the wire and also insures that, as a result of the bending, the regions on either side of the bend will not become bowed. In instances where the length of wire extending in a straight direction from the point of the bend is relatively short, it is preferred to employ the second embodiment of the invention by adjusting the intermediate head so that it is disposed more closely to the end head. It should be noted further that, although it is preferred to engage the wire with both heads, the hand tool may still be employed to effect a desired bend with only the end heads although this technique requires slightly more care on the part of the user.

FIG. 7 shows but one environment in which the hand tool is usable, and illustrates, somewhat diagrammatically, the skeletal spring and wire configuration of a portion of a T-shapedseat cushion. Such cushions typically have a plurality of main springs 40 and a pair of outer, perhaps smaller springs 42 within the T-shaped projections 44. At the front of the cushion, and about the full edges of the cushion, it is customary to provide a binding wire 46 which defines firmly the outline and edges of the cushion. The wire 46 usually extends along the edge of the cushion andis bound, tangentially, to each spring 40 past which it extends. In order to bend the wire around the outer springs 42 to define the T- shaped projections 44 a number of relatively sharp radius bends must be made. For example, after the straight binding wire 46 has been bound to each of the main springs 40 and spring 42, it must be bent at the region 48 from the straight configuration, shown in phantom,'to the configuration shown in solid to define the forwardmost comer 48 of the T-shaped projection 44. The hand tools may be used in the manner described above to effect this and the remaining bends 50, 52. In some instances, as in that shown in FIG. 7, the distance between the region 48 where thebend is to be made and the point of attachment 54 to the spring 42 is relatively short, there is room along the length of the wire only to receive the end head 12 or 32. In order that the intermediate head does not interfere with the spring, its

position along pipe 30 should be adjusted so that the intermediate head also enables the device to be employed effectively by adjusting the relative distance between the end head 32 and intermediate head 34 so that they do not interfere with any other elements extending along the wire, such as the spring 42.

Thus, I have described an improved wire bending tool which is adapted for manual use and which simplifies greatly the effort required to make effective bends, and particularly short radius bends. Moreover, the accuracy of bends made with the hand tool is substantially greater than that which has been obtained with previously employed techniques using conventional hand tools. I

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, it may be fabricated from any number of materials sufficiently strong with aluminum being preferred. Additionally, the tool may be provided with a hardened insert as suggested in phantom in FIGS. 1 3 along the the abutting surfaces of the end heads to reduce wear as the tools are used.

It should be understood, however, that the foregoing description of the invention is intended merely to be illustrative thereof and that other embodiments and modifications may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from its spirit.

Having thus described the invention what I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent is: v

1. A hand tool for use in bending a wire comprising:

an elongate bar;

a head secured to one end of said bar having a portion thereof projecting transversely of the longit-udinal dimension of said bar;

said projecting portion having a channel formed therethrough and extending in a direction parallel to that of said elongate bar; and

a pair of lugs formed integrally with said projecting portion of said head, said lugs extending longitudinally along said channel to define a restricted opening in said channel and paralleling said bar and to define said channel in a T-shaped cross-sectional configuration.

2. A hand tool as defined in claim 1 wherein said end head is defined by outer side wall surfaces on opposite sides thereof further further comprising:

said sidewalls surfaces being tapered toward said end of said tool.

3. A hand tool as defined in claim 2 further comprisat least portions of said sidewall surfaces being formed from a material harder than the remaining portions of said end head. 4. A hand tool as defined in claim 2 further comprismg:

said channel being formed so that the innermost region thereof is disposed in relation to said elongate bar so that when said wire is inserted into said channel, said wire is parallel to said bar and is spaced transversely thereof but in proximity thereto whereby the user may grip both the elongate bar and the engaged wire. 5. A hand tool as defined in claim 1 further comprismg:

an intermediate head mounted to said bar intermediate its ends, said intermediate head projecting transversely of the longitudinal dimension of said bar and in the same direction as said end head, said intermediate head having a channel of identical configuration to that formed in said end head, said channel in said intermediate head being aligned longitudinally with said channel in said end head. 6. A hand tool as defined in claim 5 further comprismg:

said intermediate head being mounted to said bar for adjustable movement along the length of said bar; and means for securing said intermediate head to said bar in a selected longitudinal position thereon. 7. Manually operable tool means as defined in claim 1 further comprising a pair of such hand tools.

8. A hand tool as defined in claim 6 further comprismg:

means for precluding rotation of said intermediate head about said bar.

9. A hand tool as defined in claim 8 wherein said means for precluding rotation of said intermediate head about said bar comprises:

a slot formed longitudinally along the underside of said bar; and

a pin secured to said intermediate head and projecting radially inwardly thereof, said pin being received within said longitudinal slot in said bar.

10. A hand tool as defined in claim 9 wherein said means for securing said intermediate head to said bar in selected longitudinal positions thereon comprises:

said bar being formed with a plurality of transverse notches disposed in longitudinally spaced relation along said bar; and

a set screw threaded through said intermediate head,

said set screw having a pin projecting from the inner end thereof for selective engagement with one of said notches. 

1. A hand tool for use in bending a wire comprising: an elongate bar; a head secured to one end of said bar having a portion thereof projecting transversely of the longitudinal dimension of said bar; said projecting portion having a channel formed therethrough and extending in a direction parallel to that of said elongate bar; and a pair of lugs formed integrally with said projecting portion of said head, said lugs extending longitudinally along said channel to define a restricted opening in said channel and paralleling said bar and to define said channel in a T-shaped cross-sectional configuration.
 2. A hand tool as defined in claim 1 wherein said end head is defined by outer side wall surfaces on opposite sides thereof further further comprising: said sidewalls surfaces being tapered toward said end of said tool.
 3. A hand tool as defined in claim 2 further comprising: at least portions of said sidewall surfaces being formed from a material harder than the remaining portions of said end head.
 4. A hand tool as defined in claim 2 further comprising: said channel being formed so that the innermost region thereof is disposed in relation to said elongate bar so that when said wire is inserted into said channel, said wire is parallel to said bar and is spaced transversely thereof but in proximity thereto whereby the user may grip both the elongate bar and the engaged wire.
 5. A hand tool as defined in claim 1 further comprising: an intermediate head mounted to said bar intermediate its ends, said intermediate head projecting transversely of the longitudinal dimension of said bar and in the same direction as said end head, said intermediate head having a channel of identical configuration to that formed in said end head, said channel in said intermediate head being aligned longitudinally with said channel in said end head.
 6. A hand tool as defined in claim 5 further comprising: said intermediate head being mounted to said bar for adjustable movement along the length of said bar; and means for securing said intermediate head to said bar in a selected longitudinal position thereon.
 7. Manually operable tool means as defined in claim 1 further comprising a pair of such hand tools.
 8. A hand tool as defined in claim 6 further comprising: means for precluding rotation of said intermediate head about said bar.
 9. A hand tool as defined in claim 8 wherein said means for precluding rotation of said intermediate head about said bar comprises: a slot formed longitudinally along the underside of said bar; and a pin secured to said intermediate head and projecting radially inwardly thereof, said pin being received within said longitudinal slot in said bar.
 10. A hand tool as defined in claim 9 wherein said means for securing said intermediate head to said bar in selected longitudinal positions thereon comprises: said bar being formed with a plurality of transverse notches disposed in longitudinally spaced relation along said bar; and a set screw threaded through said intermediate head, said set screw having a pin projecting from the inner end thereoF for selective engagement with one of said notches. 